"An Irish Heart is an important collection of poetry by Irish-born Australasian poet and journalist David McKee Wright (1869-1928), first published in Sydney by Angus & Robertson in 1918. Born in County Down, Wright spent many years in New Zealand before settling in Sydney in 1910, where he became a prominent figure in Australian literary journalism. He contributed extensively to The Bulletin and became editor of its influential literary "Red Page" in 1916, a position that placed him at the centre of Australian literary life during the period. The Australian Dictionary of Biography records that An Irish Heart was the collection upon which Wright's Australian poetic reputation long rested.
The collection reflects Wright's enduring attachment to the Ireland of his birth, bringing together poems concerned with Irish landscape, folklore, love, memory and national identity. Wright had increasingly turned to Irish subjects after 1913, and contemporary reviewers regarded the resulting collection highly; one 1918 assessment remarked upon the exceptional quality of the poems and Wright's devotion to Ireland and the Irish. The volume nevertheless has a particularly strong Australian literary connection: the publisher's note states that most of its verses had originally appeared in Sydney's Bulletin, with others in The Lone Hand, while several were published here for the first time.
This is the 1918 first edition, attractively produced in original green cloth with its distinctive Celtic-inspired decorated border, portrait frontispiece and superb patterned Angus & Robertson endpapers. Of particular bibliographical interest, An Irish Heart was Wright's only collection of verse published in Australia, making the book a significant intersection of Irish, New Zealand and Australian literary history. Wright's Australasian career was considerable: his work appeared prolifically in The Bulletin, and he was also associated with Angus & Robertson as an editorial consultant, including work on the poetry of Henry Lawson.
This copy has additional charm and provenance through an affectionate 1938 presentation inscription, reading "Doris Thomas / From John Jarrell / Xmas 1938", together with a separately mounted handwritten card addressed to Doris and signed "John". The attractive original decorated binding remains well presented despite the expected age toning and foxing visible internally. A desirable first edition of an uncommon early Australian-published poetry collection, particularly appealing to collectors of Australian literature, Irish-Australian writing, Angus & Robertson publications and The Bulletin circle."
Light wear to the covers and spine. Inscription as shown. Light foxing to prelims and text block edge otherwise pages clean and well presented. A nice 1st edition copy in very good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
